Each of us struggle at times to make conversation with others, whether they are family members, co-workers, or strangers. Most of us rely on default topics such as politics, the weather, or jobs. Instead, try one of these thoughtful questions to that will help you begin funny, beautiful, or heartfelt conversations:

What book would you recommend to your friends?

What are your top 5 favorite movies of all time?

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

What song or singer do you love to listen to?

If money and/or time were no object, what would you want to do? Where would you go? Who would be there? How would you fill your days?

What do you think the best age to be is? Why?

When did you know that your spouse was “the one”?

How did you choose your children’s (or pets’) names?

What’s the best advice your parents gave you? Did you listen to it?

Who do you admire most? Why?

Who is someone who inspires you? How so?

At what moment in your life do you remember laughing the hardest?

What’s something in your life that you are really good at? What’s something that you wish you were really good at?

What’s something you did that was embarrassing at the time, but you now see the humor in?

What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? (What did you save your allowance for? What did you race home after school to do? What did you write, talk, and dream about?)

What moment in history do you most vividly remember? (Where were you? What were you doing? How were you affected?)

What are you the most proud of in your life?

What is the hardest lesson you have ever learned?

What did you learn in your career that you wish you have known earlier?

What’s your number one piece of life advice?

What do you hope people remember about you?

Genuinely listening to someone is an act of kindness. Ask someone to share their story with you, and the conversation will be a gift to you both.